1985 Chevrolet Camaro Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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1985 is best known by Camaro aficionados as the year the IROC first made its appearance. Named after the International Race of Champions, it certainly lived up to its moniker. Both the Z28 and the IROC had a Tuned Port Injection (TPI) version of the engine that was rated at 215 horsepower. The 5.0 HO engine also had a hotter camshaft and a larger exhaust system. Ironically, this engine was available only on the automatic. However, you could opt for the L69 H.O. engine, which only came with the 5-speed manual tranny and produced 190 hp at 4,800 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm.Production of this engine was restricted about halfway through the year. Although you did lose a very small amount of horsepower and torque with the H.O., it was well worth it to get the 5-speed. Besides, the horsepower could be overcome with ease by adding headers and a good exahust. The L69 in 1985 was available only in the IROC. New 16-by-8-inch all-aluminum wheels sporting 245/50VR16 Goodyear Gatorback tires, the ride was lowered by a half-inch, and the addition of the foglamps made sure that if you saw the IROC from the front, you new at that moment that you were seeing an IROC.
Chevrolet also changed ten of the twelve exterior colors from 1984. Other external changes included new front fascias, taillamps, air dams, grilles, and parking lamps, although these changes were very minor and mostly not noticeable to the untrained eye. The IROC was honored as one of Car and Driver's Ten Best for 1985.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1985 Chevrolet Camaro
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by Frank P
Oct 11, 2012
car was wonderful, never got to drive it, more of a project car then a driver... but it was a perfect project car for a 16 year old, who is looking to become a mechanic, i was gonna paint it a very deep purpleOct 11, 2012
by Allen D
Dec 13, 2011
This was the first car I ever bought (not counting my first car that was given to me). I got it in the summer of 1990, and kept it about 4 years. Dark blue, gray interior, V6/auto. I'd love to find it or another like it.Dec 13, 2011
by Anonymous
Dec 04, 2011
It seems like your doing 40 when your doing 80mph.The car starts very easy and handles well on the turns.It has good power and is very dependable.The interior is in fairly good shape.The wheels are 16 inch instead of 15 inch like alot of them.Dec 04, 2011
User rating:
by Frank P
Oct 11, 2012
car was wonderful, never got to drive it, more of a project car then a driver... but it was a perfect project car for a 16 year old, who is looking to become a mechanic, i was gonna paint it a very deep purpleOct 11, 2012
by Allen D
Dec 13, 2011
This was the first car I ever bought (not counting my first car that was given to me). I got it in the summer of 1990, and kept it about 4 years. Dark blue, gray interior, V6/auto. I'd love to find it or another like it.Dec 13, 2011
by Anonymous
Dec 04, 2011
It seems like your doing 40 when your doing 80mph.The car starts very easy and handles well on the turns.It has good power and is very dependable.The interior is in fairly good shape.The wheels are 16 inch instead of 15 inch like alot of them.Dec 04, 2011
by Thomas C
Jun 14, 2010
For an 1985, it is in perfect condition. Great acceleration. Only second owner. Very clean. No rust or chips on the paint. Custom exhaust and sound system. Hoping to swap to a 350 or higher. The best car I have ever owned.Jun 14, 2010
by David H
Mar 30, 2010
I love having this car. Wanted sence high school, and nw finally have it. It needs alot of work but being a mechanic this is not a problem. My fiance like helping me and driving the camaro special on sunny days withthe t-tops outMar 30, 2010
by Jake R
Mar 28, 2010
its an all around good car to drive. its got T tops, positive rear end traction, nice interior, dual exhaust, and a decent sound system in it. its white with a black hood, and gold rims. awesome car. i love itMar 28, 2010
by Robert M
Jan 02, 2010
Likes: fast for what it had, performance did 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds, had a small block 350, carb, was smog legal, got about "estimated" 6mpg, t-top, front clip was from an 88' camaro, along with alll the interior. and a lotttt more to list.
Dislikes: windshield wipers didn't work so you had to use this wax stuff for the window if i were to drive it in the rain. hood was lift off instead of on hinges, speed omitter went out and i never got around to fixing it..Jan 02, 2010
by Sam V
Sep 25, 2009
Performance - accellerates pretty good, brakes extremely well and handles well even on curvy mountain roads.
Build Qualiy - definitely needs a few tweaks here and there, but overall it is a good car that has a few imperfections that need to be addressed.
Appearance - Outside looks pretty good for a 24 year old car. The paint definitely needs a touch up and there are a few dents, but it happens :/
Cost - A lot... Gas mileage isn't fantastic, but it doesn't need much maintainence and I don't mind the cost of it.
Overall this thing is super fun to own and drive and I look forward to being able to restore it some daySep 25, 2009
by Anonymous
Sep 16, 2009
Acceleration is great it has a lot of torque, but the HP is low due to it coming with T-Tops.
Very strong build, I have gotten about 5 foot of air at 65 mph. Although it sounded good at the time, I regret it now and hope nothing was damaged.
Amazing looks Interior is just as great.
Gas is hard on me, but if you have a job at all this wouldn't be a problem. I'd say pretty high maintnence because of the age, but mine hasnt needed much besides oil changes. =)
Amazingly fun car to drive!Sep 16, 2009
by Erik M
Aug 28, 2009
Performance is great. i bought the car about 3 years ago. its still fast as hell. i put a larger camshaft, intake manifold and carburetor on the top of the engine. the repairs that it has needed since i purchased it were mostly routine or induced by me. terrible on gas. terrible. the paint job isnt all that wonderful. two different colors of blue and a rusted fender. very very fun car to drive.Aug 28, 2009
by robert w
Jul 20, 2009
I love my zero chip that i installed. it helps with my performance in acceleration and both saves me gas making the speed scary but excited about how much it is allowed to go. the apperance is great I think that the air performance is better than the younger models thanks for making a american made car.built toughtJul 20, 2009
by Rafa M
Jun 24, 2009
This car is a blast, few mods will make it a rocket, and a
magnet to girls, but just keep it clean, if you want a race
project that can take you in a sunday trip this is the one..Jun 24, 2009
by Dafydd M
May 13, 2009
I like everything about this car-it's what Americans do best-Muscle cars!!
European sports cars are loved by women, American muscle car is loved by all.
Buy one-they're suprisingly cheap to run,service and insure. You won't regrett it!
Ideal for cruising down to the coast.May 13, 2009
by Ryan M
May 13, 2009
performance will move up to 5 when after a few mods....
the paint is looking great after some clay and polymer
polish, a couple more coats and the results look like they
are going to be quite amazing for the age of the paintMay 13, 2009
by Anonymous
Mar 06, 2009
350 ci motor, built by some friends and myself from interior to motor to paint. It was smog legal, pushed about maybe 380hp + in 90 degree weather to the wheels. funnest car i ever had. it got probably 6 miles to the gallon with a 4spd auto (700r4 trans). could not drive it in the rain what so ever. tires would break loose at 60 on free way if i accelerated just a bit... lot of good memories in this car.Mar 06, 2009
by Darin H
Jan 20, 2009
definately a step up from the first car.
black on black camaro irocz california stealth model, tuned port 305, 4spd auto. i bought it from my dad with under 60k miles in 1995, he bought it brand new in 1985. the car was great, i loved driving it, had lotsa power and was pretty reliable.Jan 20, 2009
by Retlaw X
Jan 15, 2009
420 ft pounds of torque at 2800rpm ;-)
American made.
International race of champions I.R.O.C
Posi-traction
Loud pipes
and a driver with a heavy foot
the only thing i dont like is its bad on gas ha ha.
but other than that... perfect toy.Jan 15, 2009
by Philip W
Sep 27, 2008
i love the attention it brings with its rough idle,mean looks ,it causes a stir whenever i go anywhere,what i hate is that i can get better performance with decent fuel economy from a c6 z06 vette and thats why i am selling this car.who will be the lucky one.Sep 27, 2008
by Kris S
Sep 04, 2008
This is the best car to own ever. The 305 has plenty of power to blow away your ricer honda's with their fancy stickers and spoilers.
Ive owned it for a year, put 20,000km on it. Has not needed a single repair. Its now at 221,000km. VERY reliable car.
The interior is simple, i like it, i find it comfortable and pretty roomy,the exterior styling is just killer. I love driving by big windows just to see how cool i look drivin it.
Gas mileage isnt the greatest ~20mpg city, ~30mpg highway with the 305 V8.
bought it for $1500. wouldnt trade it for anything in the world.Sep 04, 2008
by Nathan B
Aug 07, 2008
fun to drive and handles great. Also has a very nice paint job. I love the manual transmission that i put in the car myself which makes it a lot more fun to drive and the V8 makes the car get up and go a lot faster than most cars on the market now. Aug 07, 2008
by Chuck V
Jun 18, 2008
its got a 6 cyl and its fast plus good gas milageJun 18, 2008
by Jared S
Jun 02, 2008
Driving this car is fun. It's got plenty of power and sounds great. Built strictly for racing,not street legal.Jun 02, 2008
by Tanner H
May 01, 2008
withthe sport tuned suspension this car handles like a $100,000 car. The interior and exterior is great. It has a base of 155 hp but I got a new exhaust and air filter to make it sound better and go faster, so right now it should be making around 170. I love it but it sucks up ALOT of gas.May 01, 2008
by Justin S
Apr 10, 2008
Impressive reliability...had it for over 200k miles.Apr 10, 2008
by Matt L
Mar 30, 2008
One of the loudest stock made cars ever, after market 403 v8Mar 30, 2008
by Andrea H
Mar 28, 2008
Burns oil, needs new struts, kind of a money pit, oh well, i love it, it's fast and i love the body style and i wanted one for a long time, and i got to help wet sand it to paint it. and i always change my own oil.Mar 28, 2008
by Eric T
Feb 15, 2008
Got the car as a project for $2000 and only 83000 miles. Since then I've put a couple thousand into it and its a great sounding, fast, attention getting car. Has about a 4.5sec 0-60Feb 15, 2008
by Anonymous
Feb 04, 2008
Aerodynamicy designed, performance tuned IROC-Z and Z28 packages. This is was the car to go for when you wanted corvette like performance at a reasonabel price.Feb 04, 2008
by David K
Jan 22, 2008
This is my second to fav. but the fastest! Though my grand prix sees the track more than this one, it is much faster! The 442 gives it 390HP and the color gives it its beauty!Jan 22, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 22, 2008
This is the one that doent go to the track that often. It is currently in Alabama with a friend. Its absolutely beautiful and fast with its 442 c.i.d. big block!!Jan 22, 2008
by Brian G
Jan 02, 2008
It was a very good car, very fast, there was a problem we had with the transmission but nothing major.Jan 02, 2008
by Tia F
Dec 16, 2007
It was okay, a bit of fun, nothing to write home about. Good for a first "muscle car". Glad we sold it!Dec 16, 2007
by Anonymous
Oct 15, 2007
If you want a rumbling god this the car for you. It is definately a great car like I said if you have the money to take care of it.The car needs nurturing if you have the same engine. If you replace it i recommend the LT-1. Oct 15, 2007
1985 Chevrolet Camaro Pricing
Original MSRP
$8,511 to $11,134Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM radio
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
